Perimeter barrier for a building structure

- STRONG SKIRT LLC

A kit for a perimeter barrier for a building includes a panel, a j-track configured to be coupled to a bottom of the panel, a top track coupled to the building such that the top track is secured to an upper portion of the panel, a top h-track configured to be coupled to the panel and the top track, and a bottom h-track configured to be mounted to the panel and the j-track.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 18/625,516, filed Apr. 3, 2024, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/377,480, filed Oct. 6, 2023 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 12,012,747 entitled “PERIMETER BARRIER FOR A BUILDING STRUCTURE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates in general to mobile homes and, in particular, to a perimeter barrier around a bottom of a building structure.

Description of the Prior Art

Mobile homes typically are elevated on a frame or foundation by a few feet above the underlying surface or earth. This construction leaves the underside of the home, and the surface beneath it, exposed to the elements. Perimeter barriers can be installed around the bottom of the home to conceal and protect the space beneath it. Conventional perimeter barriers for mobile homes also are known as “skirting” or skirting systems. Although some conventional solutions are workable, improvements in skirting systems for buildings continue to be of interest.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein relate to a kit for a perimeter barrier for a building. The kit includes a panel, a j-track configured to be coupled to a bottom of the panel, a top track coupled to the building such that the top track is secured to an upper portion of the panel, a top h-track configured to be coupled to the panel and the top track, and a bottom h-track configured to be mounted to the panel and the j-track.

In other embodiments, a kit for a perimeter barrier for a building is disclosed. The kit includes a ventilated panel, a top trim back having an upper end configured to be mounted to the building an upper slot on a front face thereof, a top trim front including an upper portion snapped into the upper slot of the top trim back to secure an upper portion of the ventilated panel between the top trim back and the top trim front, and a j-track configured to receive and secure a bottom of the ventilated panel.

In yet another embodiment, a kit for a perimeter barrier for a building is disclosed. The kit includes a panel, a top trim back having an upper end configured to be mounted to the building an upper slot on a front face thereof, a top trim front having an upper portion snapped into the upper slot of the top trim back to secure an upper portion of the panel between the top trim back and the top trim front, a j-track configured to receive and secure a bottom of the panel, and an insulated panel configured to be installed behind the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before one or more embodiments are described in detail, one skilled in the art will appreciate that they are not limited in its application to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and the arrangement of steps set forth in the following detailed description or illustrated in the drawings and descriptions. Rather, they are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a skirting mounted to a home, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 is another isometric view of the skirting and home of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a panel, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a panel, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of an embodiment of a portion of a panel, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional side view of a portion of the panel of FIG. 5, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a skirting, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view of an upper portion of the skirting of FIG. 7, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIGS. 9-11 are isometric view of embodiments of a top track, z-vent and j-track, respectively, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a skirting, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an embodiment of an h-track, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a corner, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 15 is a top view of an embodiment of a corner installed on a home, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 16 is a sectional side view of still another embodiment of a skirting, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a top trim back for a kit, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a top trim front for a kit, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a skirting including an insulated panel mounted to a home, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 20 is a sectional side view of the skirting and insulated panel of FIG. 19, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 21 is a section side view of another embodiment of the skirting and insulated panel of FIG. 19, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

FIG. 22 is a top view of an embodiment of a corner of the skirting of FIG. 19 installed on a home, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-18, the following descriptions of various implementations of the present teachings have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the present teachings to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing the present teachings.

Embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for a perimeter barrier for a building structure are disclosed. For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a mobile home or home 101 having skirting 103. Embodiments of the skirting 103 may comprise a variety of components that are assembled together and to the home 101 with fasteners, such as screws. The skirting 103 can extend partially or completely around the bottom perimeter of the home 101 down to the underlying ground to form a barrier. Access through the skirting 103 to the space beneath the home 101 may be provided via a slidable door 105 that is movable in tracks, as will be described below.

In some versions, the primary component of the skirting 103 is a panel 111. Features of the panels 111 are shown in FIGS. 3-6. The panels 111 can be numerous and comprise most of the structure of the skirting 103. The panels 111 can be thin and rectangular in shape, and comprise a metal, such as aluminum, or a polymer like vinyl. The panels 111 can be corrugated for strength and rigidity, and also can be ventilated or perforated with apertures 113. In FIG. 6, note how the panel 111 can be partially punched, such that the punched portion 114 partially or completely cover the aperture 113 to provide enhanced weather protection. When formed from metal, the panels 111 also can be fire-proof as well as weed trimmer-proof.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, embodiments of each panel 111 can be installed in the skirting 103 with other components. For example, upper edges of the panel 111 can be secured to the home 101 with an optional bracket 115 (when needed) via a top track 121 (also shown in FIG. 9) and a z-vent 131. The top track 121 is either directly secured to the home 101 or to the optional bracket 115, as is the z-vent 131 (also shown in FIG. 10), which is known as an expansion joint that can be ventilated. For example, in these embodiments, the top track 121 and/or the z-vent 131 may be formed of a flexible material (e.g., rubber, metal, elastomer, etc.) that may allow the top track 121 and/or z-vent 131 to deform (e.g., move) in various directions (e.g., longitudinal, lateral, angular, etc.) while remaining secured to the home 101. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, in the embodiments described herein, the flexible nature of the top track 121 and/or the z-vent 131 may absorb forces resulting from expansion and/or contraction of the panel 111 while maintaining the functionality and structural integrity of the skirting 103.

The panel 111 can be secured to the z-vent 131 with fasteners, such as screws. The lower edges of the panel 111 can be mounted in and secured in a j-track 141 (see FIG. 11). Each of these components can be made to any desired dimensions, such as length, width, height and thickness of material.

As previously discussed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the skirting 103 can be provided with a door 105. In some embodiments, the door 105 can be mounted in the system as shown in FIG. 12. In addition to the previously described components, an h-track 151 (also shown in FIG. 13) can be mounted at both the top and the bottom of the system. For example, one h-track 151 can be located at the top of the system by securing its flange 153 between a top of a panel 111 and a bottom of a top track 121. Another h-track 151 can be inverted and located at the bottom of the system by securing its flange 153 between the bottom of the panel 111 and the j-track 141. The two h-tracks 151 have slots 155 that can extend toward each other to define a narrow rectangular space, for example, in which the door 105 can be slidably mounted (e.g., to the left or to the right) to provide access through the skirting 103.

Alternatively, the upper h-track 151 may be provided with a deeper slot 155 that the bottom h-track 151. In this version, the deeper slot 155 enables the door 105 to be lifted vertically into the deeper slot 155 (rather than sliding left or right), such that the bottom of the door 105 may be removed from the j-track 141 toward the user, and then removed completely from the assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 14 and 15, embodiments of the skirting 103 also may comprise corners 161 at each corner intersection of the skirting 103. Each corner 161 may comprise a perpendicular section 163 from each side of which extends a wall 165 at a 135 degree angle with respect to the perpendicular section 163, for example. In some versions, a mounting flange 167 may extend from each wall 165 and be oriented at a 135 angle with respect to the respective wall 165. Thus, the mounting flanges 167 can be parallel to the respective sides of the perpendicular section 163. Each mounting flange 167 can comprise a rounded edge 169, which also is known as a hem, to prevent scratching of panels 111.

FIG. 16 depicts an embodiment of the skirting 103 with an insulation panel 171. In this version, the insulation panel 171 can be installed behind the panel 111 (on an interior of the skirting 103) between the top track 121 and z-vent 131 with fasteners at the top of the assembly, and in the j-track 141 at the bottom of the assembly, optionally with fasteners. The insulation panel 171 can be formed from foam board or other materials.

In another embodiment, the skirting 103 can be sold as a “kit” of components that, when assembled together, can form a portion of the skirting 103. A consumer may then purchase as many “kits” as are needed to complete their particular length of skirting 103 for their home 101. For example, each of the following components may be provided in, e.g., twelve-foot lengths: a ventilated panel 111, a top trim back 181 (FIG. 17), a top trim front 191 (FIG. 18) and a j-track 141. In these versions, some of the other components previously described are not used in the system. Rather, an upper end of the top trim back 181 is fastened to the home 101, a bottom of the panel 111 is placed in the j-track 141, and an upper portion of the top trim front 191 is snapped into place in an upper slot 183 on the front face of the top trim back 181 to secure the upper end of the panel 111 in place therebetween.

For example, in some embodiments, the kit may include the panel 111, the j-track 141 coupled to the bottom of the panel 11, the top track 121 coupled to the building such that the top track 121 is secured to an upper portion 114 of the panel 111, an h-track 141 coupled to the panel 111 and the top track 121 (FIGS. 2, 7, and 8). In other embodiments, the kit may include the ventilated panel 111, the top trim back 181, the top trim front 191, and the j-track 141. (FIGS. 4, 12, 17, and 18).

In other embodiments still, such as those depicted in FIGS. 19-22, the kit may include the panel 111, top trim back 181 (including an upper end mounted to the building), the top trim front 191, the j-track 141, and an insulated panel 112. In these embodiments, the insulated panel 112 may be installed behind the panel 111, and may be configured to reduce heat transfer through the skirting 103. For example, it should be appreciated that the insulated panel 112 may provide a thermal barrier between an external environment and the underside of the home 101, which may help to maintain a desired temperature inside the home 101. Furthermore, the insulated panel 112 may also act as a sound barrier capable of reducing noise infiltration within the home 101.

In these embodiments, an upper edge of the insulated panel 112 may be fastened (e.g., fixedly or releasably) to the top trim 181 or directly to the home 101 itself. For example, the insulated panel 112 may be fixed to the top trim 181 or the home 101 by way of a fastener (e.g., screw, clip, bracket, etc.).

Referring still to FIGS. 19-22, with the upper edge of the insulated panel 112 fastened to the top trim 181 or to the home 101, the bottom edge of the insulated panel 112 may be inserted into the j-track 141. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments described herein, additional security mechanisms may be utilized to secure the insulated panel 112 behind the panel 111, such as adhesive strips, lateral brackets, or other similar security mechanisms configured to ensure that the insulated panel 112 remains secured behind the panel 111. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the insulated panel 112 may have a panel width, such that the insulated panel 112 is configured to be fastened to the top trim 181 and/or received within the j-track 141, as described in detail herein. For example, in the embodiments described herein, the insulated panel 112 may have a panel width of less than or equal to 0.75 inches, less than or equal to 0.5, inches, or any other similar panel width, such that the insulated panel 112 may be received within the j-track 141 while maintaining desired insulation properties.

In the embodiments described herein, it should be appreciated that the insulated panel 112 may be formed of foam board insulation, reflective insulation, fiberglass insulation, wool and/or mineral insulation, or any combination thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it should be understood that the material used for the insulated panel 112 may be determined based on ventilation, environmental, and/or other similar considerations.

Referring again to FIGS. 19-22, and as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 19, the panel 111 and/or insulated panel 112 may include a plurality of vents 118. In these embodiments, the plurality of vents 118 may be configured to prevent moisture buildup beneath the home 101, and may also aid in regulating temperature underneath the home 101.

In some embodiments, the plurality of vents 118 may be manually translated between an open position (e.g., in which air and/or fluid may traverse the plurality of vents 118) and a closed position (e.g., in which the plurality of vents 118 are sealed to the panel 111 or insulated panel 112). In these embodiments, the plurality of vents 118 may include a louver configuration, in which the plurality of vents 118 include a plurality of slits and/or blades that may be tilted to control air and/or fluid flow through each of the plurality of vents. For example, in these embodiments, the plurality of slits and/or blades may be mechanically coupled to a sliding lever, a knob, or other similar translation mechanism capable of moving the plurality of slits and/or blades such that each of the plurality of vents 118 may be translated between the open position and the closed position.

In other embodiments, the plurality of vents 118 may include a sliding or rotating mechanism, such as a sliding panel, that may be used to translate the plurality of vents 118 between the open position and the closed position. Furthermore, in other embodiments still, the plurality of vents 118 may be configured to automatically translate between the open position and the closed position in response to certain environmental parameters being met. For example, in these embodiments, the plurality of vents 118 may include a controller and a sensor mechanism configured to determine a temperature, a humidity level, or another similar environmental parameter. In these embodiments, when the environmental parameters meets and/or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller may translate the plurality of vents 118 between the open position and the closed position (or vice versa) or may translate the plurality of vents 118 such that the plurality of vents 118 are moved to a position between the open position and the closed position (e.g., to allow partial airflow through the plurality of vents 118).

Referring again to the kits described herein, it should be further appreciated that, top trim front, the top trim back, and the j-track may be formed of a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, thermoplastic elastomers, or any other suitable polymer without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Although a variety of exemplary kits have been described herein, particularly with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 7-8, 12, and 17-22, it should be appreciated that the disclosed kits are merely exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the kit may include any combination of components described herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Other embodiments can include one or more of the following items:

    • Item 1. A kit for a perimeter barrier for a building, the kit comprising: a panel; a j-track configured to be coupled to a bottom of the panel; a top track coupled to the building such that the top track is secured to an upper portion of the panel; a top h-track configured to be coupled to the panel and the top track; and a bottom h-track configured to be mounted to the panel and the j-track.
    • Item 2. The kit of item 1, further comprising a z-vent coupled to the building such that the z-vent is secured to an upper portion of the panel.
    • Item 3. The kit of item 1 or 2, further comprising a door configured to be installed in the top h-track and the bottom h-track to provide access through the perimeter barrier to a space beneath the building.
    • Item 4. The kit of any of items 1-3, wherein the door is configured to be slidably mounted in the top h-track and the bottom h-track to move left or right relative to the top h-track and the bottom h-track.
    • Item 5. The kit of any of items 1-4, wherein the door is configured to be vertically lifted into a slot in the top h-track, and a bottom of the door is configured to be removed from the bottom h-track to remove the door from the perimeter barrier.
    • Item 6. The kit of any of items 1-5, wherein the door is formed of metal.
    • Item 7. The kit of any of items 1-6, wherein the panel comprises metal and has apertures for ventilation.
    • Item 8. The kit of any of items 1-7, wherein the apertures are partially punched, such that punched portions of the panels cover the apertures.
    • Item 9. The kit of any of items 1-8, further comprising a corner configured to be located at a corner intersection of the perimeter barrier.
    • Item 10. The kit of any of items 1-9, wherein the corner comprises a perpendicular section having sides, a wall extends from each side of the perpendicular section, and a mounting flange extends from each of the walls, such that the mounting flanges are parallel to respective sides of the perpendicular section.
    • Item 11. A kit for a perimeter barrier for a building, the kit comprising: a ventilated panel; a top trim back comprises an upper end configured to be mounted to the building and the top trim back comprises an upper slot on a front face thereof; a top trim front comprises an upper portion configured to be snapped into the upper slot of the top trim back to secure an upper portion of the ventilated panel between the top trim back and the top trim front; and a j-track configured to receive and secure a bottom of the ventilated panel.
    • Item 12. The kit of item 11, wherein the ventilated panel is perforated.
    • Item 13. The kit of item 11 or 12, further comprising a corner configured to be installed at a corner intersection of the perimeter barrier.
    • Item 14. The kit of any of items 11-13, wherein the corner comprises a perpendicular section having sides, a wall extends from each side of the perpendicular section, and a mounting flange extends from each of the walls, such that the mounting flanges are parallel to respective sides of the perpendicular section.
    • Item 15. The kit of any of items 11-14, wherein the ventilated panel is metal, and the top trim front, the top trim back and the j-track comprise a polymer.
    • Item 16. The kit of any of items 11-15, further comprising a door.
    • Item 17. The kit of any of items 11-16, wherein the door is configured to be slidably mounted to move left or right relative to the perimeter barrier.
    • Item 18. A kit for a perimeter barrier for a building, the kit comprising: a panel; a top trim back comprises an upper end configured to be mounted to the building and the top trim back comprises an upper slot on a front face thereof; a top trim front comprises an upper portion configured to be snapped into the upper slot of the top trim back to secure an upper portion of the panel between the top trim back and the top trim front; a j-track configured to receive and secure a bottom of the panel; and an insulated panel configured to be installed behind the panel.
    • Item 19. The kit of item 18, further comprising a door configured to be vertically lifted into a slot in the perimeter barrier, and a bottom of the door is configured to be removed from the perimeter barrier to remove the door from the perimeter barrier.
    • Item 20. The kit of item 18 or 19, wherein the insulated panel includes a plurality of vents configured to move between an open position and a closed position.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “top”, “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptions used herein interpreted accordingly.

This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of invention.

It can be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term “communicate,” as well as derivatives thereof, encompasses both direct and indirect communication. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, can mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items can be used, and only one item in the list can be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

Also, the use of “a” or “an” is employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it states otherwise.

The description in the present application should not be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential or critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of the claims invokes 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect to any of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim, followed by a participle phrase identifying a function.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that can cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, sacrosanct or an essential feature of any or all the claims.

After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that certain features which are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any sub-combination. Further, references to values stated in ranges include each and every value within that range.

Claims

1. A kit for a perimeter barrier for a building, the kit comprising:

a panel;
a j-track configured to be coupled to a bottom of the panel;
a top track configured to be coupled to the building such that the top track is securable to an upper portion of the panel;
a top h-track configured to be coupled to the panel and the top track; and
a bottom h-track configured to be mounted to the panel and the j-track, the bottom h-track including a flange;
wherein the bottom h-track is configured to be mounted to the panel and the j-track such that the flange is configured to be received within the j-track and positioned between the panel and the j-track such that the flange abuts both of the panel and the j-track, and a portion of the bottom h-track from which the flange extends abuts the panel.

2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a z-vent configured to be coupled to the building such that the z-vent is securable to an upper portion of the panel.

3. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a door configured to be installed in the top h-track and the bottom h-track to provide access through the perimeter barrier to a space beneath the building.

4. The kit of claim 3, wherein the door is configured to be slidably mounted in the top h-track and the bottom h-track to move left or right relative to the top h-track and the bottom h-track.

5. The kit of claim 3, wherein the door is configured to be vertically lifted into a slot in the top h-track, and a bottom of the door is configured to be removed from the bottom h-track to remove the door from the perimeter barrier.

6. The kit of claim 3, wherein the door is formed of metal.

7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises metal and has apertures for ventilation.

8. The kit of claim 7, wherein the apertures are partially punched, such that punched portions of the panels cover the apertures.

9. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a corner configured to be located at a corner intersection of the perimeter barrier.

10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the corner comprises a perpendicular section having sides, a wall extends from each side of the perpendicular section, and a mounting flange extends from each of the walls, such that the mounting flanges are parallel to respective sides of the perpendicular section.

11. A kit for a perimeter barrier for a building, the kit comprising:

a ventilated panel;
a top trim back comprises an upper end configured to be mounted to the building and the top trim back comprises an upper slot on a front face thereof;
a top trim front comprises an upper portion configured to be snapped into the upper slot of the top trim back;
a top h-track configured to be positioned between the top trim front and the top trim back such that the top h-track abuts each of the top trim front and the top trim back, the top-h-track being further configured to secure an upper portion of the ventilated panel in a space defined within the top h-track, such that the upper portion of the ventilated panel is further positioned between the top trim back and the top trim front; and
a j-track configured to receive and secure a bottom of the ventilated panel.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the ventilated panel is perforated.

13. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a corner configured to be installed at a corner intersection of the perimeter barrier.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the corner comprises a perpendicular section having sides, a wall extends from each side of the perpendicular section, and a mounting flange extends from each of the walls, such that the mounting flanges are parallel to respective sides of the perpendicular section.

15. The kit of claim 11, wherein the ventilated panel is metal, and the top trim front, the top trim back and the j-track comprise a polymer.

16. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a door.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the door is configured to be slidably mounted to move left or right relative to the perimeter barrier.

18. A kit for a perimeter barrier for a building, the kit comprising:

a panel;
a top trim back comprises an upper end configured to be mounted to the building and the top trim back comprises an upper slot on a front face thereof;
a top trim front comprises an upper portion configured to be snapped into the upper slot of the top trim back to secure an upper portion of the panel in a space defined between the top trim back and the top trim front, such that the upper portion of the panel is positioned between the top trim back and the top trim front and directly abuts the top trim front;
a j-track configured to receive and secure a bottom of the panel; and
an insulated panel configured to be installed behind the panel and separately from the panel, such that a space is formed between the insulated panel and the panel when the insulated panel is installed;
wherein the insulated panel includes an upper edge that directly abuts the top trim back and is fastenable to the top trim back and a lower edge configured to be received within the j-track.

19. The kit of claim 18, further comprising a door configured to be vertically lifted into a slot in the perimeter barrier, and a bottom of the door is configured to be removed from the perimeter barrier to remove the door from the perimeter barrier.

20. The kit of claim 18, wherein the insulated panel includes a plurality of vents configured to move between an open position and a closed position.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1269133 June 1918 Townsend
D158043 April 1950 Bevington
2618493 November 1952 Fransen, Sr.
2961255 November 1960 Trott
3106411 October 1963 Holmes
3113357 December 1963 Reukauf
3452501 July 1969 Sickler
3562983 February 1971 Rector
3571998 March 1971 Iacona
3636661 January 1972 Strawsine
3694979 October 1972 Vadnie
3710525 January 1973 Lopes
3712005 January 1973 Eschbach
3722156 March 1973 Bryant
3753323 August 1973 Nesbitt
3775917 December 1973 Struben
3803781 April 1974 Struben
3827201 August 1974 Struben
3832813 September 1974 Hindman
3834109 September 1974 Lacona
3839834 October 1974 Goddard
3866381 February 1975 Eschbach
RE28987 October 5, 1976 Lacona
4004373 January 25, 1977 Eschbach
4010963 March 8, 1977 Prentice
4043088 August 23, 1977 Payton
4051633 October 4, 1977 Voegele, Jr.
4107888 August 22, 1978 Krueger
4112638 September 12, 1978 Hanson, Sr.
4159844 July 3, 1979 Weiner
4214412 July 29, 1980 Barylski
D263428 March 16, 1982 Bartscher
D263511 March 23, 1982 Bartscher
4352261 October 5, 1982 Wargo
4361994 December 7, 1982 Carver
4400919 August 30, 1983 Szabo
4549378 October 29, 1985 Ayers
4656797 April 14, 1987 Marquart
4760872 August 2, 1988 Hale, Jr.
4805361 February 21, 1989 Mason
4843793 July 4, 1989 Ayers
D306907 March 27, 1990 Trezza
5090168 February 25, 1992 Fast
D329296 September 8, 1992 Albrecht
D342579 December 21, 1993 Mason
D355494 February 14, 1995 Fenske
D361630 August 22, 1995 Guernsey
D375574 November 12, 1996 Pickett
5651221 July 29, 1997 Golen
5675946 October 14, 1997 Verbeek
D395713 June 30, 1998 Schrotenboer
D397457 August 25, 1998 Hutchings
D402063 December 1, 1998 Dickey
5907933 June 1, 1999 Stanfill
5996292 December 7, 1999 Hill
D420274 February 8, 2000 Lappin et al.
6125597 October 3, 2000 Hoffman
D437427 February 6, 2001 Shaffer
6189264 February 20, 2001 DiVeroli
D443368 June 5, 2001 Eaton
D452334 December 18, 2001 Gilbert et al.
D454180 March 5, 2002 Wessels
D472333 March 25, 2003 Shaw
6543197 April 8, 2003 Wetzel, III
D527834 September 5, 2006 Thimons et al.
7150126 December 19, 2006 Rivera
D538948 March 20, 2007 Thimons et al.
D568060 May 6, 2008 Munson
D577835 September 30, 2008 Raheel
D588716 March 17, 2009 Meyer
D600543 September 22, 2009 Coles
7681362 March 23, 2010 Averitt
7685781 March 30, 2010 Hatch
D615671 May 11, 2010 Morren
7707778 May 4, 2010 Petta
D621530 August 10, 2010 Sawyer
D624212 September 21, 2010 Sawyer
8074408 December 13, 2011 Motosko
D653771 February 7, 2012 Olmsted et al.
D656251 March 20, 2012 Underkofler et al.
D659264 May 8, 2012 Wennerholm
8388043 March 5, 2013 Lahnala
D698046 January 21, 2014 Griffiths
D700365 February 25, 2014 Griffiths
D700366 February 25, 2014 Griffiths
8756878 June 24, 2014 Powell
D718886 December 2, 2014 Derraumaux et al.
D718887 December 2, 2014 Derreumaux et al.
D724240 March 10, 2015 Ross
D732200 June 16, 2015 Russell, Jr.
D732701 June 23, 2015 Griffiths
D735364 July 28, 2015 Moller et al.
D736962 August 18, 2015 Bodwell et al.
D750278 February 23, 2016 Bodwell et al.
D752776 March 29, 2016 O'Neal
D754882 April 26, 2016 Hatch et al.
D762878 August 2, 2016 Hatch et al.
D767168 September 20, 2016 Hatch et al.
D767169 September 20, 2016 Hatch et al.
D774213 December 13, 2016 Baldoni et al.
D778465 February 7, 2017 Zombek
D800343 October 17, 2017 Stanfill
D811626 February 27, 2018 Sparks
10072411 September 11, 2018 Moran
D831856 October 23, 2018 Chan
D833587 November 13, 2018 Neumann
D849969 May 28, 2019 Kilian
D859696 September 10, 2019 Kilian
D861195 September 24, 2019 Wilkie et al.
D861919 October 1, 2019 Mannhardt
D863604 October 15, 2019 Sexton et al.
10844592 November 24, 2020 Jimenez
10900243 January 26, 2021 Koethe
D914915 March 30, 2021 Jackson et al.
D915628 April 6, 2021 Place et al.
D921935 June 8, 2021 Lazzarini
D927021 August 3, 2021 Klees et al.
D942787 February 8, 2022 Rollins et al.
D943120 February 8, 2022 Sexton et al.
D946785 March 22, 2022 Griffith et al.
D949442 April 19, 2022 Ryan
D952194 May 17, 2022 Lazzarini
D955001 June 14, 2022 Reid
D956268 June 28, 2022 Langeveld
D961118 August 16, 2022 Langeveld et al.
D966874 October 18, 2022 Zhou
D973234 December 20, 2022 Zombek
D979101 February 21, 2023 Sexton et al.
D979800 February 28, 2023 Shaw et al.
D994906 August 8, 2023 Pare et al.
D998189 September 5, 2023 Shaw et al.
D998826 September 12, 2023 Sandler
D998828 September 12, 2023 Maisonneuve
D1010862 January 9, 2024 Lukito
D1012324 January 23, 2024 Lukito
D1012325 January 23, 2024 Lukito
D1018902 March 19, 2024 Gallien
D1018913 March 19, 2024 Gandhe
D1019992 March 26, 2024 Hickey
D1021151 April 2, 2024 Sinawi
D1021155 April 2, 2024 Gandhe
D1022257 April 9, 2024 Baltz, Jr.
D1023342 April 16, 2024 Milligan
D1024755 April 30, 2024 Heindl
D1025402 April 30, 2024 Su
D1025407 April 30, 2024 Geiger
D1028287 May 21, 2024 Guerrera
12012747 June 18, 2024 Milligan
D1033683 July 2, 2024 Skawska
D1035046 July 9, 2024 Geiger
D1036758 July 23, 2024 Klus
D1037498 July 30, 2024 Miller
D1038448 August 6, 2024 Tang
D1040302 August 27, 2024 Crowell
D1040303 August 27, 2024 Crowell
D1042887 September 17, 2024 Bilge
D1048471 October 22, 2024 Lepior
D1051431 November 12, 2024 Schofield
D1051432 November 12, 2024 Schofield
20050098060 May 12, 2005 Bigda
20060005442 January 12, 2006 Burrous
20070028529 February 8, 2007 Carter
20090288352 November 26, 2009 Wenrick
20100107505 May 6, 2010 Schreiner
20120102849 May 3, 2012 Shugart
20150218793 August 6, 2015 Stanfill
20170129549 May 11, 2017 Polgrean
20180058063 March 1, 2018 Delfino
20200248443 August 6, 2020 Bates et al.
20200277778 September 3, 2020 Jimenez
20210102382 April 8, 2021 Shaw
20220372758 November 24, 2022 Frobosilo et al.
20230349154 November 2, 2023 Teitelbaum
20250116106 April 10, 2025 Milligan
Foreign Patent Documents
H10140929 November 1996 JP
2001146850 May 2001 JP
Other references
  • Shane Davis, Preliminary Patentability Search dated Sep. 11, 2023 (Sep. 11, 2023), 2 pages, Covalent Patent Research.
  • Product Specification Guide, Strong Skirt, LLC. 2017, 20 pages.
Patent History
Patent number: 12460407
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 25, 2024
Date of Patent: Nov 4, 2025
Patent Publication Number: 20250116106
Assignee: STRONG SKIRT LLC (Tulsa, OK)
Inventor: Christopher Milligan (Georgetown, TX)
Primary Examiner: James M Ference
Application Number: 18/927,622
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 16/93.0R
International Classification: E04B 1/343 (20060101);